M86/ M81 - Black Sapphire (Wet) BMW X3

[greg0303]

Process:

1. Wash - DP Rinseless Wash & Gloss, two buckets/ two grid guards, Meguiar's MF Wash Mitt
2. Clay - Magna Hi-Tech Sponge, M34 Final Inspection
3. Cleaning/ Surface Prep - M86 Cut & Polish Cream, Flex 3401 Speed 5, LC CCS 6.5" Green Coarse Heavy Polishing pad (Meguiar's G110v2 Speed 5, 4" pad)
4. Polishing - M81 Hand Polish, Flex 3401 Speed 3, LC CCS 6.5" Blue Finishing pad (Meguiar's G110v2 Speed 3, 4" pad)
5. Protection - Optimum Opti Coat 2.0

Tools for the day


Flex 3401, Meguiar's G110v2

Beauty collection

Clay replacement - Magna sponge

It works. I saw some items which car wash left behind and the sponge took care of it. It's much more comfortable to hold than a clay bar. No constant reshaping needed - just rinsing in plain water. If accidentally dropped - can be rinsed off and it's ready to be used again. Causes slight marring so some mild cleaning is needed after.

It looks not bad at all

I used Kevin Brown Meethod (KBM) while working with M86. It was used outside Meguiar's recommended zone (fresh paint/ rotary buffer) but it worked great on that metallic paint. However I would advise to do test spot(s) before using M86 on cured paint.
I used D151 PRC a year ago on this car and it worked great as well.

M86/ M81 did their job

Opti Coat 2.0 on wheels as well

Looking sharp

I was very pleased with M81 finishing ability (Thank you, Mike ). Hand application is recommended for Hand Polish but it performed well applied by D/A polisher. It left nice wet looking surface.

Aerial shot 1

Aerial shot 2

Clear reflection

My favorite shot

Wheels - Quik Wheel Detailer
Tires - Endurance Tire Gel
Glass - D120 Glass Cleaner Concentrate 10:1
Exterior trim - Ultimate Protectant (lotion)
Interior/ Engine - to follow soon

Total time: almost 9 hours.

[Marc08EX]

Re: M86/ M81 - Black Sapphire (Wet) BMW X3

Great job Greg!!! The paint looks flawless! It looks like a mirror!

You got a nice looking cart as well!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: M86/ M81 - Black Sapphire (Wet) BMW X3

Absolutely beautiful, Greg!! That paint looks so deep and wet, just the way a dark color should look! But M81 with a DA, huh? That's interesting. Can you give a bit more detail on just how you applied it (speed, size of work area, work time, etc)? How did you find wipe off of M81 compared to M07?

[greg0303]

Re: M86/ M81 - Black Sapphire (Wet) BMW X3

Great job Greg!!! The paint looks flawless! It looks like a mirror!
You got a nice looking cart as well!

Thank you, Marc.

It turned out pretty nicely indeed.
The cart was purchased at K-Mart. It's good to have all tools nearby.

Absolutely beautiful, Greg!! That paint looks so deep and wet, just the way a dark color should look! But M81 with a DA, huh? That's interesting. Can you give a bit more detail on just how you applied it (speed, size of work area, work time, etc)? How did you find wipe off of M81 compared to M07?

Thank you, Mike.

I actually machine applied M81 using both tools: Flex 3401 with 6.5" blue finishing pad and Meguiar's G110v2 with 4" blue finishing pad, both speed 3, 3-4 passes/ section, 2'x2' sections. I primed the pads first and then used 3 pea sized drops and light down pressure. M81 is runny, just like M07, but it wipes off much easier. It adds absolutely fantastic gloss and wetness to paint. Great polishing/ jeweling product.

[Tuck91]

Re: M86/ M81 - Black Sapphire (Wet) BMW X3

Looks stunning Greg! Nice work.

I am thinking of picking up some Opti-Coat.

Does the coating really last for years?

[JWMotorCars]

Awesome work. The paint looks so wet and crystal clear. I'm really interested in the sponge that was used in lieu of clay. Can you please provide more info?

[davey g-force]

Re: M86/ M81 - Black Sapphire (Wet) BMW X3

Nice work Greg!

...And interesting choice of products You don't hear much about M86 or M81..

[greg0303]

Re: M86/ M81 - Black Sapphire (Wet) BMW X3

Looks stunning Greg! Nice work.
I am thinking of picking up some Opti-Coat.
Does the coating really last for years?

Thank you, Nick.

Opti Coat really lasts for years. I saw pictures of KC sister's car after 18 months and it still looked great. I have quite many requests for that product before winter comes.
Opti-coated paint surface doesn't feel smooth so Joe Fernandez (Superior Shine) uses one of quick detailers before returning vehicles back to their owners.
No more waxing just quick wash from time to time is needed.

Awesome work. The paint looks so wet and crystal clear. I'm really interested in the sponge that was used in lieu of clay. Can you please provide more info?

Thank you.

Hi Tech Magna Sponge has one wall covered with special rubber polymer which works just like a clay bar. It's easier to use but you won't see how much contaminants were picked up. Quick rinse in soapy water is needed after each section and aggressiveness is controlled by down pressure. It may cause some marring and mild paint cleaner may be needed after.
It's available at ADS:
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/bhs-212.html

Nice work Greg!
...And interesting choice of products You don't hear much about M86 or M81..

Thank you.

It wanted to try that combo and it worked great on that paint system. M86 used with Kevin Brown Method really delivers while M81 jewels paint nicely.
http://www.buffdaddy.com/files/15195...ageversion.pdf

[Andy M.]

Re: M86/ M81 - Black Sapphire (Wet) BMW X3

Absolutely awesome work Greg! Excellent write up and great follow up answers!!!!!

We will get together soon buddy. Looking forward to some opti-coat on my car.

Andy

[Marc08EX]

Re: M86/ M81 - Black Sapphire (Wet) BMW X3

When is this party?!

[greg0303]

Re: M86/ M81 - Black Sapphire (Wet) BMW X3

Absolutely awesome work Greg! Excellent write up and great follow up answers!!!!!
We will get together soon buddy. Looking forward to some opti-coat on my car.

Thank you, Andy.

Looking forward to learn more detailing tricks from you. With your busy schedule Opti Coat is not a bad idea at all.

When is this party?!

We keep you posted, Marc.